The results of floating net cage fish cultivation on the east coast of Pangandaran Regency are exported to several countries. The fish cultivated in floating net cages are exported to China, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. A manager of fish farming in Hamami floating net cages said the business is very promising because it has a clear market. “Cultivated marine fish are humpback grouper, cantrang, and cobia,” said Hamami, Monday (17/10/2022). In addition to the types of rat grouper, cantrang, and cobia, there are also star pomfret and barramundi. “The above types of fish are commonly cultivated by cultivating fishermen in Pangandaran Regency,: added Hamami. The way of feeding is also very easy because it can use trash fish or fish caught by fishermen that have no selling value. “Sometimes we use factory-made feed, depending on the conditions and the situation,” explained Hamami. For trash fish feed, they usually buy wholesale for IDR 2 thousand from local fishermen. The manufacturer’s feed that is commonly used is the Megami type because it is easy for fish to eat in floating net cages. “During the harvest season, fish that are cultivated in floating net cages produce 2 quintals,” said Hamami.
Cultivators in Pangandaran already have their own path in marketing fish cultivated by floating net cages. It is known that demand from local residents is low, but demand from manufacturers and exporters is very high. China, Singapore, and Malaysia are the main export destinations for grouper, and grouper is also in great demand in Hong Kong for processed food in restaurants.
The floating net cage in Pangandaran is one of the government’s programs with the aim that fishermen are expected not only to catch fish but also to cultivate with industrial capacity. The location of floating net cages in Pangandaran is one of the programs of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) in 2018. KKP at that time spent a budget of IDR 131 billion to build floating net cages in Pangandaran, Aceh, and Jepara. The use of IDR 131 billion budget is for the procurement of floating net cages, feed barges, feed warehouses, control rooms, work boats, integrated feeding systems, marine cage monitoring systems, and rubber boats. This floating net cage equipment is made in Norway and has become an international reference.
